Walking Field Trip

Our community project would not be complete without taking the walking tour of Maine Street in Fallon.  The 4th and 5th grade classes will be taking this walking tour on Wednesday, August 28 from 1:15 to 2:45.  We plan to learn more about the cultural influences that shaped our community.  Some of our students might even find the name of a relative on one of the plaques.  The students will also make a simple map while on our tour.  Please remind your student to wear walking shoes that day.  Students may bring a water bottle on the walk.  Also, please make sure your child has sunscreen and/or a hat.  There is not much shade on this walk.

Social Studies Project

August 19, 2013

Dear Parents,

In our first Social Studies project, we are studying culture.  Culture is defined as learned behavior of people, which includes their belief systems and languages, their social relationships and customs, their institutions and organizations, and their material. The standard we are working on is G6.3.3 - Identify ways people express culture.  

Please help your student select no more than two items to represent the cultures in their ancestry. They can choose two items from one culture, or one item from two different cultures.  We are hoping each student will have a country or two (not including the Unites States) that represents where their ancestors came from.  Then find an item to represent one part of the culture of that country.  Some ideas are native clothing, an item from a cultural tradition or holiday celebration, a religious or spiritual object, something showing native language, a food item that is eaten in this culture, (enough to share with the class if you choose this one), money, a craft, such as baskets, paintings or other handiwork, an item representing a sport or game, or any other item that shows a part of the culture of your child’s ancestry.   

Please have your child bring this into the classroom for a graded assignment on Thursday, August 22.  On Thursday, your student will write about where this item is from, how this item would be used, and how it expresses one aspect of the culture.  Your child should also be able to locate the country or region on a world map or globe.  

We will go over this in detail in the classroom, along with examples to help your child have a clear understanding of what is expected.  We hope this will be a great way for the students to build community and learn about ways people express culture.  

Back to School Night

Hello Parents,
Don't forget about Back to School night for third, fourth and fifth grade parents.  It's Wednesday, August 14, 2013 from 6:00 - 7:00.  The first part will be in the lunch room and the last half will be in the classroom.  You will receive information about your child's CRT testing from last year and you can pick up their binder for the new year.  Bring your supplies as well so your child doesn't have to carry everything in the backpack on the first day of school.

Please email me if you have any questions.  jstockard@oasisacademyfallon.us.  Looking forward to seeing you all!

Supply List

It's that time of year again, time to get ready for a new school year.

Are you as excited as I am?

Here's a supply list for the things you'll need for the school year:

5th Grade Supply List

Shared supplies:  The following items will be collected from your student and distributed as needed during the school year.

• 3 Tennis balls for chair and table legs, to protect the floors
• 1 4-pack of toilet paper
• 1 large box of tissues
• Disinfecting cleaning wipes
• 24 pencils - no mechanical pencils please
• 4 large glue sticks
• 4 low-odor dry erase markers
• 2 black fine point Sharpie markers

Individual supplies:  These items will be kept by your students.

• 1 gently used sock or eraser to erase individual white boards
• 2 blue or black pens
• 2-4 highlighters
• 1 box of 8-12 colored pencils, basic colors
• 2 composition books, with hard covers (no spirals)
• 3 sturdy 2-pocket folders, no prongs in the center
• 1 zippered pencil pouch for binder
• 1 Plastic pencil box to hold classroom supplies (pens, highlighters, colored pencils, eraser)

I have a classroom set of rulers, scissors, markers, and crayons, so no need to send those in.  

End of the Year Info

It's hard to believe we are at the last week of school already!  This truly has been an enjoyable class and it has been a pleasure to work with each student this year.

Here are some schedule details of this last week.

Tuesday, 5/21:
12:00 - 12:45 - Adjusted lunch time
12:45 - Students walk to Convention Center for 8th grade promotion ceremony
2:15 or so:  Return to school for project time and PE

Wednesday, 5/22:
No rotations today - classroom activities and clean up
Yearbook signing in the afternoon.

Be sure your student has his or her backpack to carry things home.

Thursday, 5/23 - Field Day at Indoor pool on Sheckler.  8:00 - 2:00, all grades
Drop off and pick up at the pool parking lot.
Dress for the weather, it may be chilly so be prepared for that.
Hot dog lunch is provided.
Bring a labeled water bottle, there will be refilling stations.
Normal clothes, covering as much as a uniform.  No tank tops or short shorts.
Label everything - towels, flip-flops, water bottles, etc.
Swimsuits also need to cover midriff, not too low in front or back.  Girls, bring a tank top to swim in if needed.

Please email me with any questions.  It's going to be a great week!

Nevada History Project

For our last project of the year, the fifth graders are working in pairs or triads, each group with a Social Studies topic.  They have been researching their topic and will begin preparing their presentation.  We will have some slide shows, some skits, some museum displays and some models.  Then the students will teach the rest of the class about their topic with their presentation.  They are pretty excited about it and they are learning a lot about Nevada History.  We will work this week and present starting Thursday, May 16 and then again on Monday, May 20.  Thank you for your willingness to round up supplies for your students!  We want to keep them working hard until the end!

State Writing Proficiency Testing

Our testing is not done!  We have the Nevada State Writing Test coming up next week.  This test will be held in 2 sessions on May 7-8.  The testing time is from 9:50 - 11:10.   For this test, the students will be given a writing task.  The students will organize their work on paper and type their drafts on the computer.  They will have time to revise and edit their work in the testing window.  Please help your child be present, well-rested, and fed on those testing days so they can concentrate on doing their best writing during the test.